The worst is over... Maree

Ink sketch and W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm

… but still the weather teases, keeping Spring just around the corner.

The end of winter at the bottom of our smallholding (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa)

Hard to believe... Maree

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm
Winter on our smallholding (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa)

It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago the grass on our smallholding was dead and yellow and that these trees had no foliage … Now we've had our first rains and the landscape is once again smiling!

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Morning is my favourite time

W&N watercolour on DalerRowney 220gsm heavy-weight sketching paper - sunrise over our smallholding, view towards the neighbour's property

Morning is my favourite time when everything is new; 

flowers drink the morning dew and skies are painted in a golden hue.

Each tree stands tall and stately – different shades and different face. 

I’m viewing morning’s painting, done with Nature’s brush of Grace.

The sun peeks slowly in the East, then rises with its smile;

Another morning greeting and we walk another mile.

UNKNOWN 

 :: 

My Flowers and I (Nasturtiums) - Maree

As I work among my flowers, I find myself talking to them, reasoning and remonstrating with them, and adoring them as if they were human beings. Much laughter I provoke among my friends by so doing, but that is of no consequence. We are on such good terms, my flowers and I.

- Celia Thaxter, 1835-1894

Orange Nasturtiums in my garden this summer - Seeing Lin Frye's article on her Nasturtiums, it reminded me to do a quick sketch of mine as they're already on their last legs! I was a bit disappointed in their turnout this year - I planted a couple of packets of seeds in various pots all over my garden, but for some reason they were very leggy en floppy. I think some were getting too much sun and some not enough! Oh my, but at least I've managed to gather some seeds from a couple of them.

Nasturtiums are a gardener's dream. They are virtually carefree once established, or so the packets say! Snails don't seem to be interested in them. They will even self-seed and come back the next year in mild climates. I look forward to their return each year; it signals that summer is here at last.

Go to "Blissful Housewife" for some great culinary uses of Nasturtiums, like this great starter, below - Nasturtium blossoms stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese or ricotta cheese, chives and pesto.

"Just looking at nasturtiums can make you smile - eating them might even make you giggle!"